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Executive and Legislative documents laid before the General Assembly of North-Carolina [1870; 1871]

1870-71.] Document No. 8. • 13
is presented for their reception. This is certainly a melan-choly
and unfortunate state of affairs both for the sufferers and
the public.
The successful treatment of insanity depends so much upon
timely administration of remedies and an early removal from
the familiar surroundings of the family circle, that in order to
give much hope of restoration it is essential to bring the victims
of this terrible malady as soon as possible after its attack under
hospital treatment. Delay in this regard is in most instances
fatal to success. The experience of the profession in this
specialty shovs^s that of the recent cases of insanity, properly
and timely treated, about 70 or 80 per cent recover ; while of
those neglected or improperly managed very few get well. As
a mere matter of political economy, apart from the principle
of humanity, the early treatment of insanity is not to be dis-regarded.
Where fifty or one hundred dollars may be required
to cure a case, ten times that amount may not be sufiicient to
support one uncured through life. Those who recover may
become valuable citizens ; if they do not add directly to the
wealth of the State and contribute largely to the payment of
public taxes, they at least support their families. Tliose who
become incurable are often, during a long life, a source of
constant expense to the public, and not unfrequently also their
families become a public burthen. But the utmost capacity of
this Institution has been reached, or, more truly speaking,
stretched to a point incompatible with the highest measure of
success. To place a patient in a hospital already full is to
inflict a positive injury on many, for the doubtful cliance of
benefitting one.
IMPROVEMENTS.
The improvements that from time to time were found to be
quite necessary for the protection of the building and premises
and the care and comfort of the patients, were executed with
all possible economy and in the main may be briefly enumera-ted
as follows
:

1870-71.] Document No. 8. • 13
is presented for their reception. This is certainly a melan-choly
and unfortunate state of affairs both for the sufferers and
the public.
The successful treatment of insanity depends so much upon
timely administration of remedies and an early removal from
the familiar surroundings of the family circle, that in order to
give much hope of restoration it is essential to bring the victims
of this terrible malady as soon as possible after its attack under
hospital treatment. Delay in this regard is in most instances
fatal to success. The experience of the profession in this
specialty shovs^s that of the recent cases of insanity, properly
and timely treated, about 70 or 80 per cent recover ; while of
those neglected or improperly managed very few get well. As
a mere matter of political economy, apart from the principle
of humanity, the early treatment of insanity is not to be dis-regarded.
Where fifty or one hundred dollars may be required
to cure a case, ten times that amount may not be sufiicient to
support one uncured through life. Those who recover may
become valuable citizens ; if they do not add directly to the
wealth of the State and contribute largely to the payment of
public taxes, they at least support their families. Tliose who
become incurable are often, during a long life, a source of
constant expense to the public, and not unfrequently also their
families become a public burthen. But the utmost capacity of
this Institution has been reached, or, more truly speaking,
stretched to a point incompatible with the highest measure of
success. To place a patient in a hospital already full is to
inflict a positive injury on many, for the doubtful cliance of
benefitting one.
IMPROVEMENTS.
The improvements that from time to time were found to be
quite necessary for the protection of the building and premises
and the care and comfort of the patients, were executed with
all possible economy and in the main may be briefly enumera-ted
as follows
: